F1600, F2000 AND ATLANTIC REV UP WITH USAC FOR 2017

Salem, NH – F1600, F2000 and the Atlantic Championship Series, part of Formula Race Promotions (FRP) and sanctioned by USAC Racing, are gathering momentum ahead of the 2017 season, which opens at Virginia International Raceway, April 28-30.

All three open-wheel road racing divisions are seeing growth for 2017 with a number of storylines happening at premiere road race venues east of the Mississippi River.

In F1600, 15-year-old Neil Verhagen won the 21-race Championship and was promptly signed by RedBull’s driver development program, moving to Europe. This leaves the 21-race 2017 season wide-open as a number of youngsters look to do battle over seven race weekends against seasoned veterans.

Among the early signings is Matthew Cowley for Team Pelfrey, who comes to the U.S. after two years of Formula F competition in Great Britain.

Squads such as 2015 Champion Team Pelfrey and K-Hill Motorsports, the 2016 Champions, still have seats available for the season.

In F2000, one step up the FRP ladder, the seven-weekend, 14-race season adds downforce and bigger engines and a number of front-running drivers are back for the 2017 season.

Brandon Dixon has confirmed a full-season effort after winning one race last year; while Tim Paul, a former dirt track competitor, has set his sights on the 2017 title as well. Competitive Van Diemen/Mazda F2000 race cars can currently be had for as little as $28,000 ready to go.

K-Hill is looking at a Championship run too, having signed 16-year-old karting ace Zach Holden.

At the top of the FRP pyramid, the fast Atlantic cars are also expecting a wide-open season. 2016 Champion Ryan Norman has signed with Andretti Autosport in Indy Lights, as K-Hill Motorsports looks to repeat the title-clinching year, but with a new driver. Former Champions, Keith and David Grant, are also early title favorites for Polestar Racing Group.